Fastener structure for securing multiple fans

ABSTRACT

A fastener structure for securing multiple fans includes an assembly hole, a fastening pillar, and an adhesive layer. The assembly hole is located in a frame of a first fan. The fastening pillar is located on a frame of a second fan, wherein the configuration of the fastening pillar is suited to be inserted into the assembly hole. The adhesive layer is located between an outer wall of the fastening pillar and an inner wall of the assembly hole when the fastening pillar is inserted into the assembly hole.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a fastener structure. More particularly, the present invention relates to a fastener structure for securing multiple fans.

2. Description of Related Art

Known technology for combining two or more fans to become one fan involves using fastener structures. Each of the fastener structures is composed of a connected member and two c-type fasteners. The c-type fasteners are used to connect the connected member and two unit fans such that the two unit fans are combined into a single fan assembly. The disadvantage of this configuration is that the connected member and the c-type fasteners are located in the inner portion of the fan frames after the fans are combined to each other such that the fans have a lower air transmission capability, thereby resulting in a reduction in overall fan efficiency.

Therefore, there is a need to develop a fastener structure for securing multiple fans that is capable of avoiding the foregoing disadvantages.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a fastener structure for securing multiple fans.

In accordance with the present invention, a fastener structure for securing multiple fans includes an assembly hole, a fastening pillar, and an adhesive layer. The assembly hole is located in a frame of a first fan. The fastening pillar is located on a frame of a second fan, in which the fastening pillar is configured to be fitted for and inserted into the assembly hole. The adhesive layer is located between an outer wall of the fastening pillar and an inner wall of the assembly hole when the fastening pillar is inserted into the assembly hole. Through this configuration, the frame of the first fan is connected securely with the frame of the second fan.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, a top of the fastening pillar has a barb member which is hooked to an inner surface of the frame of the first fan for preventing the fastening pillar from being removed from the assembly hole.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, the fastening pillar is hollow and has an arc-short wall and an arc-cylindrical plate, in which the arc-short wall is opposite to the arc-cylindrical plate. The barb member is formed at a top of the arc-cylindrical plate. The inner wall of the assembly hole forms an arc-short concave and an arc-retaining wall corresponding to the arc-short wall and an arc concave corresponding to the arc-cylindrical plate. The arc-short wall is coupled with the arc-short concave and the arc-retaining wall is coupled with the arc concave. With this structure, the fastening pillar can be inserted into the inner of the assembly hole in a precise and secure manner.

According to another embodiment disclosed herein, inner surfaces of the arc-retaining wall, the arc-short wall and the arc-cylindrical plate cooperatively form a circular inner wall, and a screw, bolt or other object can be inserted into and locked with the inner surfaces.

Thus, the fastener structure herein secures multiple fans and does not affect the air flow generated by the fans.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a combination fan to which a fastener structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the combination fan of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a vertical cross-sectional view of part A of the fastener structure of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the fastener structure taken along line B-B of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may he practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a combination fan to which a fastener structure 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the combination fan of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross-sectional view of part A of the fastener structure 300 of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the fastener structure 300 taken along line B-B of FIG. 3. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the fastener structure 300 for securing multiple fans is used to combine a first fan 100 with a second fan 200 which form the combination fan. The fastener structure 300 includes four assembly holes 310, four fastening pillars 320, in which each of the fastening pillars 320 is configured to be fitted for and inserted into one of the assembly holes 310, and adhesive layers 330 each located between an outer wall of one of the fastening pillars 320 and an inner wall of one of the assembly holes 310.

In this embodiment, a size of the first fan 100 is 40×40×28 mm and the first fan 100 has a frame 110. The frame 110 is rectangular and one or more motors and blade units 120 are included within the frame 110 of the first fan 100. A size of the second fan 200 is 40×40×28 mm and the second fan 200 also has a frame 210. The frame 210 is rectangular and one or more motors and blade units 220 are included within the frame 210 of the second fan 200.

The assembly holes 310 are respectively located in four corners of the frame 110 of the first fan 100. The fastening pillars 320 are respectively located in four corners of the frame 210 of the second fan 200. The four adhesive layers 330 are located between the outer walls of the four fastening pillars 320 and the inner walls of the four assembly holes 310. The four fastening pillars 320 of the second fan 200 are respectively inserted into the four assembly holes 310, and the four fastening pillars 320 respectively adhere to the four assembly holes 310, such that the first fan 100 is combined with the second fan 200 to form the combination fan. In this embodiment, the size of the combination fan is 40×40×56 mm.

The assembly holes 310 are formed directly in the frame 110 of the first fan 100, and the fastening pillars 320 are formed directly with the frame 210 of the second fan 200. The adhesive layers 330 are used to securely combine the fastening pillars 320 of the frame 210 of the second fan 200 respectively in the assembly holes 310 of the frame 110 of the first fan 100. Therefore, the fastener structure is simple, as is the method for using the same. Because the fastening pillars 320 of the frame 210 of the second fan 200 are securely combined with the assembly holes 310 of the frame 110 of the first fan 100, almost no vibration is generated by the combined frames 110/210 when the combination fan (of the first fan 100 and the second fan 200) is operating. In addition, the fastener structure 300 is located in the four corners of the frames 100/210 and is not located within the frames 100/210 such that the fastener structure 300 does not negatively affect the air transmission of the blade units 120/220.

Each of the fastening pillars 320 is a hollow pillar and includes an arc-short wall 321 and an arc-cylindrical plate 322, in which the arc-short wall 321 is opposite to the arc-cylindrical plate 322. The inner wall of each of the assembly holes 310 forms an arc-short concave 311 corresponding to the arc-short wall 321 of the corresponding fastening pillar 320, an arc-retaining wall 312 and an arc concave 313 corresponding to the arc-cylindrical plate 322 of the corresponding fastening pillar 320. When the first fan 100 is combined with the second fan 200, each of the arc-short walls 321 of the fastening pillars 320 of the second fan 200 is coupled with the arc-short concave 311 of the corresponding assembly hole 310 of the first fan 100 and each of the arc-cylindrical plates 322 of the fastening pillars 320 of the second fan 200 is coupled with the arc concave 313 of the corresponding assembly hole 310 of the first fan 100, in which each of the are-short walls 321 abuts against the arc-retaining wall 312 of the corresponding assembly hole 310, such that each of the fastening pillars 320 is located securely and precisely within one of the assembly holes 310. After the first fan 100 is completely combined with the second fan 200, the inner surfaces of the arc-retaining walls 312, the arc-short walls 321 and the arc-cylindrical plates 322 cooperatively form circular inner walls, which may be used for insertion and locking of objects, e.g., screws or bolts.

The top of the arc-cylindrical plate 322 of each of the fastening pillars 320 forms a barb member 323, and the barb member 323 is hooked to an inner surface of the frame 110 of the first fan 100 to prevent the fastening pillar 320 from being removed from the corresponding assembly hole 310 when the fastening pillar 320 of the second fan 200 is inserted into the assembly hole 310 of the first Can 100.

According to above-described embodiments, the fastener structure herein secures multiple fans securely and does not adversely affect the air flow generated by the combined fans.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the to scope of the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastener structure for securing multiple fans comprising: an assembly hole located in a frame of a first fan; a fastening pillar located on a frame of a second fan, wherein the fastening pillar is configured to be fitted for and inserted into the assembly hole; and an adhesive layer located between an outer wall of the fastening pillar and an inner wall of the assembly hole when the fastening pillar is inserted into the assembly hole.
 2. The fastener structure for securing multiple fans of claim 1, wherein a top of the fastening pillar has a barb member which is hooked to an inner surface of the frame of the first fan.
 3. The fastener structure for securing multiple fans of claim 2, wherein: the fastening pillar is hollow and has an arc-short wall and an arc-cylindrical plate, the arc-short wall being opposite to the arc-cylindrical plate, the barb member being formed at a top of the arc-cylindrical plate; and the inner wall of the assembly hole forms an arc-short concave and an arc-retaining wall corresponding to the arc-short wall and an arc concave corresponding to the arc-cylindrical plate, the arc-short wall being coupled with the arc-short concave and the arc-retaining wall being coupled with the arc concave.
 4. The fastener structure for securing multiple fans of claim 3, wherein inner surfaces of the arc-retaining wall, the arc-short wall and the arc-cylindrical plate cooperatively form a circular inner wall. 